The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the recent increase in fuel prices in Nigeria from N159 to N170 per litre. In a statement issued by National Spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan on Friday in Abuja, the party rejected the N170 fuel price as unbearable for Nigerians.
Ologbondiyan stressed that the PDP considers the increase unacceptable especially in light of the economic crisis that has already affected the population. He explained that the PDP believes that the increment will only further worsen the already struggling economic situation in the country.
He further maintained that such an increase would put an additional burden on the economic necks of Nigerians. According to Ologbondiyan, the Nigerian government had no justification for increasing pump prices to more than N100, let alone N170, per litre, as there are viable ways to keep prices more affordable, especially considering Nigeria’s production capacity and potential.
Ologbondiyan condemned the continued rise in fuel prices in Nigeria, noting that the government has so far failed to show transparency on the parameters used to set fuel prices, especially as it relates to Nigeria’s oil production, exports and revenues. He accused energy officials of hiding crucial information on the status and volume of oil production, sales and revenues.
He also noted that the Nigerian government’s fuel subsidies and mismanagement of the country’s oil resources are the main contributing factors to the high costs and hardship of millions of Nigerians who can barely afford basic necessities. Ologbondiyan called on President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil his election promises to modernise Nigeria’s refineries and recruit more qualified personnel to effectively manage the oil sector.
